Stuart Thompson's brilliant century has put the NW Warriors in the ascendancy despite a late collapse against the Northern Knights on the first day of their Inter-Provincial Championship clash at Downpatrick. The Eglinton all-rounder top scored with 113 as the Warriors made 272 all out, sharing a crucial fourth wicket stand of 148 with Scott Campbell.

Waringstown left-armer Phil Eaglestone dismissed Craig Averill (0) early, before David Rankin hit a breezy 32 from 35 balls (7 fours) to put the Warriors on the front foot. Shane Getkate trapped Rankin lbw, and then Eaglestone accounted for Kyllin Vardhan (1) to leave the Warriors reeling on 52 for 3.

Thompson and Campbell survived some nervy moments, benefitting from several missed opportunities before going on to make the Knights pay for their profligacy. Thompson's 113 came from 197 deliveries (11 fours, 3 sixes) - the first century by a NW batsman in the three seasons of the series.

Coleraine all-rounder Campbell proved the perfect companion for Thompson , as he mixed up quiet accumulation with the odd spark of aggression. His 76 came from 185 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes. The impressive Eaglestone (4-64) dismissed both, and with Neil Gill (3-37) taking three wickets with the second new ball, the Warriors lost their last six wickets for just 34 runs - tumbling from 238-4 to 272 all out.

That left the Knights with a tricky eight over period to negotiate before close of play, and they failed to emerge from it unscathed. Rassie van der Dussen (1) had survived a dropped chance before being trapped lbw by Craig Young, and from the final delivery of the day, James Shannon (0) edged Graeme McCarter to Young in the gully to leave the Knights wobbling on 18 for 2, and the Warriors justifiably elated.

It promises to be an absorbing second day's play at Downpatrick - play at Strangford Road gets under way at 11am and entry is free for all.

INTER-PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP - Day 1 close of play
North West Warriors 272 all out (93.4 overs, S Thompson 113, S Campbell 76, D Rankin 32, P Eaglestone 4-64, N Gill 3-37)
Northern Knights 18/2 (7.5 overs, G McCarter 1-3, C Young 1-15)